Early voting begins October 13th

Voice Staff Report
editor@tmcvoice.com

The Board of Elections met Tuesday morning, October 6, 2020, and inspected the voting machines to make sure they were ready to be used in the upcoming General Election on November 3, 2020. Board of Election members Sheriff Randy Water, Republican representative Shane Gilreath and County Clerk Eric Haynes were in attendance and inspected the voting machines.
The County will have two Voting Centers, the Whitley City Fire Department and Pine Knot Elementary, building 2. Both Voting Centers will have the capability of handling voters from all precincts no matter what precinct registered voters normally vote in. To cast a ballot voters will be able to vote at either Voting Center and must have proof of I.D.
Early voting begins at the Courthouse October 13, 2020 during normal business hours Monday through Friday. County Clerk Eric Haynes announced early voting will also be available at the Courthouse on three Saturdays, October 17, October 24 and October 31 from 8 a.m. till Noon.
The last day to request an absentee ballot is this Friday October 9, 2020. Voters can call the County Clerk’s office at 606-376-2411 or go on line to the Kentucky State Board of Elections web site to request an absentee ballot and also check their registration.
On the ballot of local interest is the School Board race for Districts one, three and five. District 1 has incumbent board member Nelda Gilreath being challenged by Patricia Ball. District 3 has Noah Duncan running for the board seat unopposed, currently held by Dustin Stephens who is not seeking re-election. District 5 has incumbent board member Deborah Gibson being challenged by Johnny Barnett.
Four seats are open for Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors. Three people have applied for the positions, Paul Sumner, Jr., Coby Stephens and Earl Dean Kidd. The last day to sign up to be a write in candidate is October 23, 2020 at 4 p.m.
For the Commonwealth of Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) is being challenged by Amy McGrath (D), and Brad Barron (L) for the U.S. Senate seat. The U.S. Representative seat for the 5th Congressional District will see Hal Rogers (R) facing off against Matthew Ryan Best (D). The Kentucky State House of Representatives District 52 will have incumbent Ken Upchurch running unopposed.
Nationally the Presidential Race has Donald J. Trump (R) running against Joseph “Joe” Biden, Jr. (D), Jo Jorgensen (L), Brock Pierce (I), and Kanye West (I). The Vice Presidential race will have Michael “Mike”R. Pence (R) running against Kamala D. Harris (D), Karla Ballard (I), Jeremy “Spike” Cohen (L), and Michelle Tidball (I).